What Happens if A Woman Takes Viagra?

It has long been established that female sexual desire, like that of the male, declines with age. But it’s not the oldies alone who display a lack in libido; many younger men and women are identified with a decline in sexual interest as well. While female sexual disorders are as prevalent, there is somewhat limited understanding of their nature, classification, and pathophysiology. Not surprisingly, there are even fewer treatment options for women’s sexual woes.

The advent of Viagra for erectile dysfunction in men was life changing, which begs the question of whether the revolutionary drug’s benefit can be extended to women. But, is it safe for a woman to take Viagra?

The short answer is: no one knows for sure.

Viagra use in women has not been properly studied, so much so that the FDA has not granted approval for using Viagra on female patients. It is unlikely that your doctor will prescribe the medication, though there are some medical professionals who are dispensing it off-label. While it is not illegal, you have to be informed about the possible effects, whether good or bad, and serious complications associated from using Pfizer’s wonder drug.

What is female sexual arousal disorder?

Female sexual problems are common, occurring in almost 40% of women. The current prevalence of female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is unknown. The 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey revealed a prevalence of 43%. In a more recent survey, 39% of sexually active women complained of problems with sexual activity. Decreased sexual desire is the most common complaint among women, next is orgasmic disorder and sexual pain disorders.

In the latest version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association merged Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) with Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) to create a new diagnostic category—Female Sexual Arousal/Interest Disorder (FSAID). Experts in sexual medicine deemed the move problematic due to the lack of empirical data supporting the diagnosis, and the risk of excluding individuals with dysfunction from getting proper treatment. The common symptoms reported for female sexual dysfunction are lack of excitement, vaginal dryness, and sensitivity or loss of sensation in the nipples and, or genital area.

Updates from the new category states that the diagnostic criteria must include a minimum of three of the following:

Little interest in sex;

Few thoughts related to sex;

Decreased start and rejecting of sex;

Little pleasure during sex most of the time;

Decreased interest in sex even when exposed to erotic stimuli;

Little genital sensation during sex most of the time.

Female sexual dysfunction and Viagra

It is thought that Viagra (generic: sildenafil) can help treat various sexual or gynecological problems in women—from having better arousal and vaginal lubrication to relieving menstrual pain. While most of the claims have not been proven, non-hormonal treatments like sildenafil are showing some promise, at least in improving arousal sensation, lubrication, and orgasm among postmenopausal women with primary FSAD and possible secondary sexual dysfunction.

Nitric oxide (NO) – a decrease in NO results to reduced genital congestion

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide – a neurotransmitter that permits vasodilation in the vagina

Autonomic nervous system – damage to this system disrupts genital; arousal

The engorgement of clitoris and labia minora and penile corpora cavernosa in men are the key changes observed in genital organs that signify sexual arousal. Emerging discoveries about female sexual arousal validates the role of Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme in both male and female sexual stimulation. PDE5 is also expressed in the smooth muscles of the vagina, clitoris, and labia. This led some researchers to believe that PDE5 inhibitors can also be used to treat genital FSAD. As of the moment, there are very few data available regarding the effects of sildenafil in women with sexual dysfunction and the results are still inconclusive.

Treatment options for female sexual arousal disorder

Hormonal therapy

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors

Botulinum toxin A

Flibanserin

While there are evidence supporting the role of Viagra in female sexual arousal, it is often recommended as the last option. FSAD is not a simple disorder; for decades, it has proven to be one of the most difficult to diagnose. Non-hormonal treatment such as sildenafil citrate is a promising treatment modality to explore, but it does not address the underlying causes of FSAD. Aside from these drawbacks, it is not without some side effects. Women who were treated with Viagra reported headache, flushing, rhinitis, nausea, and visual disturbances (i.e., blue-tinted vision). Taking Viagra without a consulting a medical professional may cause life-threatening effects.

In 2015, the FDA approved flibanserin (Addyi), also known as “female Viagra,” for marketing after two previously failed attempts. Based on the theory that low libido in women, which is dubbed hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is a result of an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, flibanserin works by manipulating a variety of serotonin receptors, with some manipulated by excitation, while others are manipulated via inhibition. According to the prescribing information from Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the “mechanism of action in the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder is not known.”
How does flibanserin (Addyi) work?
Yes, this is true. But this is true for a lot of medications. Almost one in five medications lack a well-defined mechanism of action. However, flibanserin does not work anything like sildenafil (Viagra), (vardenafil) Levitra, and tadalafil (Cialis) do, which is by causing increased bl ...

Cialis (tadalafil) is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men. This smooth muscle relaxant is similar to Pfizer’s Viagra and Bayer’s Levitra; all three medications belong to the same drug class. Most ED drugs are not covered by insurance. In 2014, Levitra was dropped by Express Scripts and Caremark, two giant companies that handle pharmacy benefits. In 2016, Viagra have also been excluded in their list of covered drugs. In general, Medicare plans do not cover erectile dysfunction drugs including Cialis.
2018 formulary changes for erectile dysfunction drugs
Express Scripts
CVS Caremark
- Still covers Cialis and generic Viagra (sildenafil)
- Excludes Levitra and Staxyn
- Levitra is being added back from non-preferred status
- Still covers Cialis
- Does not cover Viagra
Private and government companies in the U ...

Suprefact is a drug which has been designed to imitate the actions of natural GnRH or LGRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone). The medication is available in the following forms:
nasal
injections
Suprefact contains Buserelin as the active ingredient which acts on your pituitary gland located in the brain; Buserelin is the man-made form of gonadorelin. The pituitary gland is responsible for the production and storage of hormones including reproductive hormones, for example, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The drug is used to:
Treat endometriosis
Manage prostate cancer in men
Treat infertility especially during Suprefact IVF protocol
How the Medication Works to Treat Endometriosis and Prostate Cancer
Endometriosis is a condition in which a similar tissue to the endometrium (uterus lining) grows outside the womb such as, on the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The tissue is stimulated by estr ...